Christian Greetings! We can be thankful that we live in the day of grace and salvation! Even the day of the Gentiles.
"What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith." Romans 9:30 KJV
There are many scriptures to look up using this website (Thank you) regarding "in Christ" that speak to our lives of obedience in Christ.
I agree with most of all you have written. My understanding is at the crucifixion and when the veil was rent from top to bottom was the sign of the fulfillment of the old with the final sacrifice, the ordinances were nailed to the cross, and the new covenant was made, but it was not yet given to the Gentiles. To me, it is clear it was after Stephen's death and the persecution and history puts that right at 3.5 years after the crucifixion.
In Acts 8:57 the high priest and the other rulers made their final rejection of Jesus with this action they "stopped their ears and ran upon him with one accord" That is my understanding when the branch was broken off. In Luke 24:42-48 the end says, "beginning at Jerusalem" That was what they were doing, to the Jew first.
Right after this in Acts 9 Paul's conversion, In Acts 10 Peter's vision and his preaching to the Gentiles, and in Acts 11 when the apostles and brethren heard that Peter preached the word of God to the Gentiles, they were mad and upset with him. They should have understood that was what they were supposed to do but they did not, they were mad, not happy.
I know in scripture they were told they would spread the gospel to the Gentiles and the world, but my understanding of scripture is it was like when they were told He would be killed and rise from the dead, this was also hidden until the given time that Prophecy would be fulfilled, and the mystery revealed.
Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Christ followers should be eager to obey what God has commanded. Jesus' discourse in the Sermon on the Mount shows us the deeper meaning of obeying the commandments and His summation of the Decalogue as Loving God and Loving one's neighbor as oneself show us that obedience to God's holy moral law is expected of believers.
As you say, it is not works salvation of legalism, it is how a believer is to live out their daily lives by the power of grace the Holy Spirit supplies us. As we internalize the words of what Jesus has proclaimed concerning our obedience to what is contained in the 10 commandments, we will become more and more aware of how we disobey in ways that do not comply with the spirit of the law.
For example, just yesterday while driving, a person nearly side-swiped me by cutting in front of me. It gave me a bit of a scare and I spoke angrily out loud about the person. I immediately knew that that was a sin and so I spoke forgiveness to that person and asked the Lord to forgive me. This is how the Holy Spirit shows us our sin and also instructs us in the deeper meaning of the law that Jesus spoke about in the Sermon on the Mount. I am glad that I know what the Bible has written about the teachings of Jesus. It helps me to put parameters on my conduct by the working of the Holy Spirit in me.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15 KJV
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19 KJV
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48 KJV
Romans 6:15-23 - be servants of righteousness
Luke 6 - you are known by your "fruit"
"But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11:28 KJV
1 John 3:24, John 8:51, James 1:22-25, Romans 6:16
This scripture posting is intended to shine a light of truth to expose what has been deception sometimes posted here before by a few.
Some have a problem with what Jesus said about obedience and keeping His commandments. Some may even demean what Jesus said and label these words a "works doctrine" or "legalist". A "Christ follower" attacking Christ. Be careful! End times are near.
Quite alright, we will never agree on everything, well till Jesus returns.! God knows our hearts & in His time, with help & love of others, we will all know His truth. Acts is a transitional/divided/bridge book between OT & NT because it's helping to bring the unbelievers to be in 'the know' of Jesus death & it's purpose. No longer following 613 laws yet following Him.
Yes, Paul WAS very clear in his teachings & writings that the Old covenant had to be abandoned. That's why Jesus choice him on his way to Damascus. God knew who he was, what he did & used it for His glory. Some things do not change over night for we can't give God the glory when greatness happen if we continue to focus on the less important things. I understand were your coming from I do. Yet it is my understanding from all my studying when I say things on here, it is what I believe at the time. Heck, If you read any of my responses from a yr ago, you'd see how even I've changed beliefs because of what others say on here which in turn gets me to study & learn more. Yet when His word is clear, I must decline & pray that God reaches, whomever, in due time for His glory. Take the prosperity teachers for instance, they twist sculpture leading so many the wrong way Yet, again, God knows our heart & He will work all out for His good not allowing them to burn. It's for us to bring unbelievers to HIM, He will do the rest. plus, love & pray for them ALL. Peter was appointed to teach the Jews about Jesus as Paul was to teach all who'd listen. This was God's plan. Jesus was the final 'blood sacrifice', once & for ALL sinners.
Right, After Jesus' resurrection only New Testament was valid yet, if you only knew one way all your life, it's super hard to change, ask an ex-cult member. I know, I'm from Utah. Until God gets ahold of us we are nothing. We either listen or we don't, our God given freewill. p.s. to me saying rightly dividing means same as what you said. God bless "Texsis".
You stated, "the apostles had not been told the Gospel will also be given to the Gentiles, the time had not come. There were another 3.5 years after Jesus's ministry before the apostles were told the gospel of Christ will be given to the Greeks/Gentiles.
I agree with Gigi, The Apostles were told to go out to preach the gospel to the whole world and I believe the old economy "if that's the correct term to use" ended at the crucifixion when the veil was rent from top to bottom.
The timing of the beginning and ending of what God ordained in the old and in the new covenant was totally of God, "Not according to man's response to it"
The OT scripture said salvation would go out to the Gentiles by the seed which shall come. some expected it in the New Testament as seen in Luke 2:30-32. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Also.
Jesus said in John 2:19-22 he would tare the temple down and build it again in 3 days.
That was the end of temporary temple that only served as a shadow of what was to come. Hebrews 9:6-11.
When he rose from the grave, he went to the disciples and see here what he said in Luke 24:42-48.
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And ye are witnesses of these things!
Concerning the veil being rent from top to bottom.
Here is what was accomplished at the death and resurrection of our Lord.
Here in Hebrews 6:17-20 we see Jesus as our "forerunner" and High Priest.
We have been once and for all cleansed and can now enter therein with a clear conscience. See Hebrews 9:8-26.
Also.
Hebrews 10:8-22.
The veil being rent signifies the end of the old covenant and the resurrection ushered in the new covenant.
The commission came right afterwards. Luke 24:42-49. and Matthew 28:19-20.
Covenants of God: Introduction: God's patterns in initiation
1. End of Dispensation: Judgment of men
2. Signs and Wonders
3. Element of fire
4, Blessings and cursings
5. Separation of God's people
6. Be fruitful and multiply
EDEN. God sent out man after what is known as the "Age of Innocence"; possibly that involved an implied covenant with Adam
to care for the earth; and the first marriage. Man would be mortal and suffer on earth; and driven out from the Garden
and the Tree of Life. The Serpent was cursed; and by implication Satan. The death blow was promised in Genesis 3:15 along
with God's final victory. Judgment came on Cain and would affect his descendants in Genesis 4:15.
NOAH. God made a covenant symbolized by the rainbow after destroying all but Noah and his family (8 people). He promised never to destroy the earth by water again. The animals were part of the plan for preservation and interestingly part of the
covenant promises ( Gen. 9:12). He also was told to be fruitful and multiply anong with his sons( Gen. 9:1); compare with Genesis 1:28). Genesis 10:15-18 had Ham's one son cursed (no time to elaborate here).
ABRAHAM: Sent from Ur of the Chaldees; and given promises through fire in Genesis 15:17-20 when asleep (note Adam's
deep sleep in Genesis 2:21). He was promised miraculously to have innumerable offspring in Genesis 22:17. Judgment
came on Sodom in Genesis 18; Abraham's relative and family.
EXODUS/DEUTERONOMY: God at Horeb appears in fire and smoke; and great sounds to produce fear of His Name; then promises to bring them fully out of the promised land. Ten Commandments "seal the deal" as it was being a peculiar people.
God eventually purged out the rebels; only Caleb and Joseph made it to the promised land of that generation along with children.
BOOK OF ACTS: Pentecost brings about Church Age and New Covenant with fire; signs and wonders. God judges Israel AD 70; final judgment promised later.
Your not intruding. This site is for all to learn, including myself, so never feel bad for voicing what you think. A lot of what I say is wrong cuz I'm still learning yet voice my opinion to what I believe. If I'm wrong in some eyes and they respond, that's great. I learn more. yet it's what I believe because of what I have been studying so I say from that. God is our only condemner in the long run. I enjoy learning His truth. Though very hard at times because if you say one word wrong, it truly can be the difference between thinking you now Him and knowing Him in some eyes. We ALL know and love Him and that's the main thing & being better then we were yesterday is His desire for us ALL. The bible is rightly divided and we are to read it in it's entirety yet 'today' we live by faith thru Gods grace because Christ shed His blood for our sins.
However we must remember that we are dealing with the Word of God Himself and not the Word of Paul or Luke or Jeremiah or Isaiah. While it is true that God used Humans to pen the original Biblical texts, every word, every phrase is exactly the word and phrase that God Himself chose to use. And I would never trust a "free translation" as being the Word of God.
God did not write the Bible in a way that we can merely apply man's wisdom in reading and understanding what God is teaching. We must search it out comparing scripture with scripture. And that often means down to the very word.
My advice to anyone would be to avoid a "free translation" or paraphrase version like the plague. I would want the most faithful word for word, translation available. And based on my understanding that would be the King James Bible for an English translation.
I think there is a reason that the study tools like Strong's and Young's concordances are based on the KJV.
If we want to consult a commentary, that's fine. But a commentary may or may not have understood a given text properly and we know that going in.
God is the one and only Author of the Bible. And the Bible alone is true and trustworthy.
Thank you, I agree with what you are saying, we are on the same page. They all were looking for the Messiah to set up the kingdom then. That is the reason some of the things Jesus told the disciples were hidden from their understanding that later the Holy Spirit brought back to their memory. The same reason that blindness in part happened to Israel mainly the corrupt evil rulers. The mystery; to undo the works of the devil and the promise made to all nations. The mystery of His will was hidden from Satan as well.
As Jesus told them in John 14:2 just before he went to the cross, He is going to prepare a place for you. A mansion is a dwelling place, Jesus's perfect life, death, and resurrection repaired what Adam did and the works of the devil so God could again dwell in man. 100s of prophecies were fulfilled and all was done unto the will of the Father and His timing.
Without any doubt the KJV Bible is one of the most (if not THE MOST) acceptable and read translations of the Bible in the English language.
But I would like to make a comment on translations in general.
When a translator has to translate a text from one language to another has mainly 2 options, either do 1. a word for a word translation or 2. a free translation which gives the meaning of the original language without actually going a word for a word.
Both methods have advantages and disadvantages.
1. A word for a word. Often different languages use different expressions/phrases for the same thing. Often there are no respective words. Often words seem to mean something else from what they really mean. The native speaker has a physical understanding of a scripture that a foreigner does not have when the text is translated in their language. So when a text is translated, say from grk to Eng, the English speaker is often buffled with what the text is trying to tell them. They don't understand, and so one has often a different understanding from another. On top of those, think that apostle Paul was hard to understand even by people who lived at the same time with him and spoke the same language.
2. A free translation. A translator can choose to write a translation that gives the meaning of the original text but by using different words. The advantage here is that the reader understands clearly the meaning of the text but the disadvantage is that the meaning often depends on the translator's understanding and knowledge Also it depends on the doctrines or the church they come from. All people we are affected by what we have been taught in our churches and try to fit the text to our beliefs, don't we?
So you see there are pluses and minuses in both cases. Personally I have a main Bible which I use, which is a word for a word , but I also use 2-3 different other versions when I want to clarify things. Concordances and Lexicons are also very helpful. GBU
The feeling I have is that the apostles and generally the Hebrews could not accept that God was interested in gentiles as well. They have always having in their mind that they themselves were the chosen/elected people that God was always dealing only with them. The nations were always the enemy from which God protected them. The idea that, for example the Romans who were their conqeurors could also be God's loved people was alien to them, they were expecting that the Lord will free them from them. They were taking the old prophesies that the Messiah who was expected to come, would free them from their enemies and made them a kingdom that will rule on the whole of earth, as literal. So when Jesus came, it was hard to them to accept that the freedom from their enemies literally meant freedom from sin and the kingdom God was telling them about is a spiritual kingdom including their enemies as well. That is why just before Jesus ascended to the sky they asked Him, "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?", that was always in their mind and in the minds of the multitude. It took them a long time to accept the truth. It wasn't easy to them, for tousands of years they had something else in mind and suddenly they had to accept something else. That is why they didn't really pay any attention to what Jesus was telling them all the time. The phrase "hidden from them" to me means that. Similarly with Jesus crucifixtion. The apostles always had in their mind that the Messiah will become the king they were expecting, so when Jesus kept telling them that He was going to be killed, those words didn't get into their minds. And they were caught up by surprise.really. But God is a wise God, At the end God patiently drove them to the truth. This is how I get it Ronald, but I do also consider yours and GiGi's thoughts. GBU
Do you attend a congregation or you study on your own? No offence meant but what you say sounds a bit strange to me.
Question. Does the Holly Spirit teaches personally everyone of us? Yes and no. Yes in the sense that He often opens up the scripture for us, gives us understanding of verses, reminds us of scripture and so on. No in the sense that I can stay home, read my Bible and learn the truth.
In Ephessians 4:11-13, Paul describes the ministries that should exist in every church,
"11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
So I think it is clear that Jesus anoints people to teach His Word, we need teachers filled with the Spirit of God to teach us His Word. This is not a man's work. It is God's work.
Paul was an exeption. The way he was tought the gospel is not an example for all of us. Those are exeptions, the rule is that we get tought the gospel by others.
Again you confuse the person Jesus with the spoken or written Word of God. To me they are different things. When the seed comes in our heart when we hear the gospel and the soil is good (soft, good heart) then this seed produces in us (with the aid of the Holly Spirit) repentance for the sins we have done and a decision to start a new pure life with Jesus, consequently a new birth occurs. The phrase "Jesus comes in my heart" should be taken figuratively,. It means that I accept His Word in my open heart which Word will produce a fruit.
Thanks, I agree they were told that but we see it was after Stephen's death and the priests along with Saul/Paul put in prison, beat, killed, and drove out the believers in Jesus, the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. The ones Philip shared the word within Samaria must have been Jewish because the apostles did not have a problem with it because Peter and John went and prayed for them to receive the Holy Ghost, Acts 8:14-17
When Peter had his dream, it was a clear vision that God showed him the time had come for the gospel to go to the Gentiles, Acts 10. But when he told the apostles and brethren when he went to Cornelius the centurion and preached to the Gentiles, they had a big problem with it and they rebuked Peter for doing this, Acts 11, and in Acts 11:19 the ones who were persecuted and driven out were preaching the word to the Jews only.
To me, it looks the same as when Jesus told them how He was going to die and be resurrected but it was hidden from them, Luke 9:45, and we see they were devastated after He was crucified and did not believe He rose from the dead, Luke 24:10-11. It was God's perfect timing when this would happen, fulfilling prophecy and a promise.
I am quite confident that the king, James Bible is the best English translation available today. It has stood the test of time.
I would never use a Bible that appears to be a paraphrase in any way whatsoever.
I would never use a Bible that contains the words of Jesus in Red. That, in and of itself, diminishes other language in the Bible, as being less authoritative, i.e. less the Word of God. The Entire Bible, every Word in the original, is the Word of God Himself.
I would never use a Bible that includes commentary along side of or even in the same volume as the Bible itself. This tends to color and influence our understanding; Whether we are conscious of that or not.
As far as trying to understand how the original languages were used at the time, that may be interesting and perhaps helpful, but is ultimately not as important as allowing the Bible to be its own dictionary. If we want to understand how God is using specific words or phrases, we need to find every location in the Bible where that word or phrase is used by God and draw our conclusion and meaning from that. God has graciously given us the tools to do exactly that if we are willing to take the time and energy to do it. And I am pointing the finger at myself as much or more as anyone else.
Psalms 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Joel 2:12-14 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Jonah 3:4-10 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Pay attention to v25, "AND THIS WORD WHICH BY THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED TO YOU." so it means literally the Word of God, not Christ, etc"
Isa 49:8 "for a covenant to the people"
1 Pet 1:23, says 'LIVETH & ABIDED FOR EVER" the Scriptures are the words of God that became the letter from what the apostles lived, wrote & preach from under the inspiration of the Spirit. 2Cor 3:4-6 The letter of any dispensation kills, it the Spirit along that gives Life, 1Cor 15:45
Paul says, Gal 1:12, but came by Rom 10:17 that was in his Rom 10:8 this is Word of Faith, the gospel that he preached.
He received it by the Grace of God that appears in his heart, bringing him & the rest the Word of Salvation.
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ in every heart, Christ preaching the Gospel to them diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge, to those who believe it becomes an aroma unto life, to the unbelieving an aroma unto death.
The incorruptible Seed by which we maybe born again, if received & no one is born again until they received Him in this manner of His spiritual appearances within their heart.
Jesus takes personal responsibility of us, to teach us Himself in the way that He, Himself live, walk & overcame all the temptations of the devil,. It's the Good News that the angel proclaim to the Sheppard's. Hebrews 1:2 Spoken unto us through His Son, the 1John 2:27
1Pet 1:24 is man preaching the incorruptible words of God, which in his human wisdom, learning & knowledge he contradicts, for he neither knows them because he doesn't obey them, although he professes them 1John 2:3-6
Friend, I understand were your coming from, this way of believing & living, at one time turn my world upside down.
Acts 17:6 I've had always been dull of hearing & slow of heart to believe all the Holy Spirit ever spoke to me. Now I am paying attention, as for as offenses, I'm dead to that part within me. 2Cor 10:3 . Ephesians 6:12 who seek to rule in the hearts & minds of mankind.
Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the FAITH OF CHRIST, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be JUSTIFIED BY CHRIST, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the GRACE OF GOD: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Hebrews 11
Hebrews 12:1,2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF FAITH; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You're right Scotty, that the TR is not a single manuscript but from many manuscripts, or texts of the Byzantine text-type. I did not go into this detail in my response to you, as I couldn't ascertain from your question whether you had a deeper knowledge of this or it was simply a passing question that arose when you compared Romans 1:16 with other translations. So my apologies. Yet, what you are seeking, although a commendable enquiry, I am unable to assist you because of the nature of the research; I'm certainly not proficient in this.
To be able to get into the letters or discourses of say, the early Church fathers (Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, etc.) could be a formidable task. I hope that you will, in time & diligence, be able to source the information you seek - and if you remember us here, maybe post your findings which should make very interesting reading. Blessings.
Thanks GiGi for your input. One would need to do a detailed examination of those manuscripts & other texts to verify if & where errors are evident. And this is an exercise that I & no doubt most others, wouldn't be competent to do. For now, my only 'go to' is to the original languages, at least accepting what is given us in lexicons, etc., to ascertain how specific words were understood & translated into English. And as you know, from other discussions here on this aspect, findings can be either quite enlightening, accepted or relegated to the trash; that those exercises which find some other translations, such as the NIV/NASB can actually be more accurate (in our present comprehension of meaning & thought), than the 17th/18th Century productions is compelling. It's only where conflicts, omissions, etc. occur, that one would need to do a more thorough qualified analysis. And even these have been done, however, both sides of the fence (those holding firmly to the TR or those to the Alexandricus/Sinaiticus, et al, MSS) can also give compelling evidence in support of their position. Thanks again.
Hi GIGI, Glad your son and soon daughter-in law have a wedding planned! I hope and pray that this wedding can be a blessing to many. I think 21 is brave enough to plan and climb a mountain and I hope he will be ready to someday to be responsible to be a husband in the faith! Thanks for asking about my eye, I think I can see okay but it is always a bit blurry and reddish. Maybe for this site I should use a computer to see if the wording is larger. On this iPad it is way too small.
If you look at the context and meaning that verse means He creates natural "evil" or calamity- in other words, natural disasters like tornadoes, floods, fires, hail, etc. Calamity is a synonym for this word. It does not mean God sins. Given the plethora of other verses showing God's goodness and love, I think it makes sense.
I would not let this one word in one verse lead someone to disregard 100 verses about God's goodness and love- that would not make sense. God is fair and this is a fallen world cursed- thorns and natural disasters and hardship. I believe our character is being tested in our short challenging life. Just because we face calamity doesn't mean God doesn't love us. No where in the Bible does it promise that we will be comfortable or that the purpose of life is to be "happy" as the world claims, although more peace and love is a nice byproduct of following God's will.
I do think that the apostles knew before Jesus ascended that the gospel would go to the Gentiles because of Jesus had said to them about being witnesses of Him in Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the world. Not many Jews lived or even passed through Samaria, so being told that they would bring the Gospel to Samaria would have meant that they would preach to the Samarians. Also, Jews did not live in all areas of the world, but they were told that they would preach to those parts, even those without any Jews.
They may not have thought that Samarians and Gentiles would be converted because they considered these people to be "not chosen", but they were to preach to them regardless. Many of them were surprised that salvation would come to Samaritans and Gentiles, but some like Philip and Paul, were not.
Hello One eighty - thanks for your response as it helps me understand more about you and where you are spiritually.
I'll share some "meat" with you that you can respond by telling me whether you agree or not with what I am sharing with you below.
In the following three verses, Jesus uses the term "...cannot be my disciple" implying that Discipleship is a mandatory requirement to becoming "saved':
"If any man come to me, and hate not [meaning love less than Christ] his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE." ( Luke 14:26)
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE." ( Luke 14:27)
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all [of his worldly possessions] that he hath, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE." ( Luke 14:33)
In this last verse, Jesus is again saying to every Christian - in much the same way as he said to the rich young ruler - "...sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." ( Luke 18:22-23)
When I came to Jesus some 30+ years ago, I had the choice to abandon ALL that I had and take up my cross and follow Jesus or chase family members who had rejected me for no reason at all. I willingly chose to make that choice to follow Jesus, and have never regretted doing so.
However, such choices also require God's people to bring forth "...PATIENCE and FAITH in all your PERSECUTIONS and TRIBULATIONS that ye endure" (2 Thes 1:4) together with "... INFIRMITIES, in REPROACHES, in NECESSITIES, in PERSECUTIONS, in DISTRESSES for Christ's sake" ( 2 Cor 12:10) while "...earnestly CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH" ( Jude 1:3) among those who "...corrupt the word of God ( 2 Cor. 2:17).
Given that most Christians profess that they have ETERNAL SECURITY (which contradicts Phil 2:12 and 1 Peter 5:8-9), how do you relate to the scripture verses in Luke 14 above?
Balak must have acknowledged that YHWH had the authority in this situation, even above himself.
Balaam's parable was that God cannot lie, for He is not a man, a created being, and He never sins, like all humans. Vs. 19 goes on to say that Balaam says that God is true to His word. Whatever He has spoken, He will do it.
Vs. 20-21 Balaam tells Balak that he has received a commandment from God to bless Israel, and He hath blessed Israel. This blessing cannot be reversed. God does not hold Jacob's sin against him because He has given Israel the means to have their sins forgiven and that the LORD is with Israel, bot against him. Balaam also says that the shout of a king is among them. I think that this is prophetic, concerning the Messiah King to come (Jesus Christ) who will bring salvation and forgiveness to Israel.
Balaam attests to the fact that it was the LORD who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, saying that he has the strength of an unicorn. Is Balaam speaking of Israel having this strength or the LORD?
Vs, 23 Israel does not possess any of these blessings through enchantment or from divination. but all has been wrought by YHWH and this is what will be proclaimed about the Jacob/Israel.
Balaam then goes on to say that Israel will drink the blood of the slain like a lion. This does not mean that the Israelites will actually drink blood as they are prohibited in the Law from doing so. It is just saying that, like a lion, Israel will totally destroy the enemies.
Balak tells Balaam to either curse Israel nor not bless them at all. Balaam answers, reminding Balak that he told Balak that he must only say all that the LORD tells him to speak concerning Israel.
So Balak again, takes Balaam to another mountain top, Peor. Balaam again says to build seven altars to sacrifice seven bulls and seven rams. Balak thinks that perhaps this time. YHWH will allow Balaam to curse Israel. So now this is the fourth mountain (high place of Baal). cont. pt. 4
"What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith." Romans 9:30 KJV
There are many scriptures to look up using this website (Thank you) regarding "in Christ" that speak to our lives of obedience in Christ.
I agree with most of all you have written. My understanding is at the crucifixion and when the veil was rent from top to bottom was the sign of the fulfillment of the old with the final sacrifice, the ordinances were nailed to the cross, and the new covenant was made, but it was not yet given to the Gentiles. To me, it is clear it was after Stephen's death and the persecution and history puts that right at 3.5 years after the crucifixion.
In Acts 8:57 the high priest and the other rulers made their final rejection of Jesus with this action they "stopped their ears and ran upon him with one accord" That is my understanding when the branch was broken off. In Luke 24:42-48 the end says, "beginning at Jerusalem" That was what they were doing, to the Jew first.
Right after this in Acts 9 Paul's conversion, In Acts 10 Peter's vision and his preaching to the Gentiles, and in Acts 11 when the apostles and brethren heard that Peter preached the word of God to the Gentiles, they were mad and upset with him. They should have understood that was what they were supposed to do but they did not, they were mad, not happy.
I know in scripture they were told they would spread the gospel to the Gentiles and the world, but my understanding of scripture is it was like when they were told He would be killed and rise from the dead, this was also hidden until the given time that Prophecy would be fulfilled, and the mystery revealed.
Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
God bless and have a good day.
RLW
Christ followers should be eager to obey what God has commanded. Jesus' discourse in the Sermon on the Mount shows us the deeper meaning of obeying the commandments and His summation of the Decalogue as Loving God and Loving one's neighbor as oneself show us that obedience to God's holy moral law is expected of believers.
As you say, it is not works salvation of legalism, it is how a believer is to live out their daily lives by the power of grace the Holy Spirit supplies us. As we internalize the words of what Jesus has proclaimed concerning our obedience to what is contained in the 10 commandments, we will become more and more aware of how we disobey in ways that do not comply with the spirit of the law.
For example, just yesterday while driving, a person nearly side-swiped me by cutting in front of me. It gave me a bit of a scare and I spoke angrily out loud about the person. I immediately knew that that was a sin and so I spoke forgiveness to that person and asked the Lord to forgive me. This is how the Holy Spirit shows us our sin and also instructs us in the deeper meaning of the law that Jesus spoke about in the Sermon on the Mount. I am glad that I know what the Bible has written about the teachings of Jesus. It helps me to put parameters on my conduct by the working of the Holy Spirit in me.
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19 KJV
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48 KJV
Romans 6:15-23 - be servants of righteousness
Luke 6 - you are known by your "fruit"
"But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11:28 KJV
1 John 3:24, John 8:51, James 1:22-25, Romans 6:16
This scripture posting is intended to shine a light of truth to expose what has been deception sometimes posted here before by a few.
Some have a problem with what Jesus said about obedience and keeping His commandments. Some may even demean what Jesus said and label these words a "works doctrine" or "legalist". A "Christ follower" attacking Christ. Be careful! End times are near.
Yes, Paul WAS very clear in his teachings & writings that the Old covenant had to be abandoned. That's why Jesus choice him on his way to Damascus. God knew who he was, what he did & used it for His glory. Some things do not change over night for we can't give God the glory when greatness happen if we continue to focus on the less important things. I understand were your coming from I do. Yet it is my understanding from all my studying when I say things on here, it is what I believe at the time. Heck, If you read any of my responses from a yr ago, you'd see how even I've changed beliefs because of what others say on here which in turn gets me to study & learn more. Yet when His word is clear, I must decline & pray that God reaches, whomever, in due time for His glory. Take the prosperity teachers for instance, they twist sculpture leading so many the wrong way Yet, again, God knows our heart & He will work all out for His good not allowing them to burn. It's for us to bring unbelievers to HIM, He will do the rest. plus, love & pray for them ALL. Peter was appointed to teach the Jews about Jesus as Paul was to teach all who'd listen. This was God's plan. Jesus was the final 'blood sacrifice', once & for ALL sinners.
Right, After Jesus' resurrection only New Testament was valid yet, if you only knew one way all your life, it's super hard to change, ask an ex-cult member. I know, I'm from Utah. Until God gets ahold of us we are nothing. We either listen or we don't, our God given freewill. p.s. to me saying rightly dividing means same as what you said. God bless "Texsis".
You stated, "the apostles had not been told the Gospel will also be given to the Gentiles, the time had not come. There were another 3.5 years after Jesus's ministry before the apostles were told the gospel of Christ will be given to the Greeks/Gentiles.
I agree with Gigi, The Apostles were told to go out to preach the gospel to the whole world and I believe the old economy "if that's the correct term to use" ended at the crucifixion when the veil was rent from top to bottom.
The timing of the beginning and ending of what God ordained in the old and in the new covenant was totally of God, "Not according to man's response to it"
The OT scripture said salvation would go out to the Gentiles by the seed which shall come. some expected it in the New Testament as seen in Luke 2:30-32. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Also.
Jesus said in John 2:19-22 he would tare the temple down and build it again in 3 days.
That was the end of temporary temple that only served as a shadow of what was to come. Hebrews 9:6-11.
When he rose from the grave, he went to the disciples and see here what he said in Luke 24:42-48.
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And ye are witnesses of these things!
Concerning the veil being rent from top to bottom.
Here is what was accomplished at the death and resurrection of our Lord.
Here in Hebrews 6:17-20 we see Jesus as our "forerunner" and High Priest.
We have been once and for all cleansed and can now enter therein with a clear conscience. See Hebrews 9:8-26.
Also.
Hebrews 10:8-22.
The veil being rent signifies the end of the old covenant and the resurrection ushered in the new covenant.
The commission came right afterwards. Luke 24:42-49. and Matthew 28:19-20.
God bless.
1. End of Dispensation: Judgment of men
2. Signs and Wonders
3. Element of fire
4, Blessings and cursings
5. Separation of God's people
6. Be fruitful and multiply
EDEN. God sent out man after what is known as the "Age of Innocence"; possibly that involved an implied covenant with Adam
to care for the earth; and the first marriage. Man would be mortal and suffer on earth; and driven out from the Garden
and the Tree of Life. The Serpent was cursed; and by implication Satan. The death blow was promised in Genesis 3:15 along
with God's final victory. Judgment came on Cain and would affect his descendants in Genesis 4:15.
NOAH. God made a covenant symbolized by the rainbow after destroying all but Noah and his family (8 people). He promised never to destroy the earth by water again. The animals were part of the plan for preservation and interestingly part of the
covenant promises ( Gen. 9:12). He also was told to be fruitful and multiply anong with his sons( Gen. 9:1); compare with Genesis 1:28). Genesis 10:15-18 had Ham's one son cursed (no time to elaborate here).
ABRAHAM: Sent from Ur of the Chaldees; and given promises through fire in Genesis 15:17-20 when asleep (note Adam's
deep sleep in Genesis 2:21). He was promised miraculously to have innumerable offspring in Genesis 22:17. Judgment
came on Sodom in Genesis 18; Abraham's relative and family.
EXODUS/DEUTERONOMY: God at Horeb appears in fire and smoke; and great sounds to produce fear of His Name; then promises to bring them fully out of the promised land. Ten Commandments "seal the deal" as it was being a peculiar people.
God eventually purged out the rebels; only Caleb and Joseph made it to the promised land of that generation along with children.
BOOK OF ACTS: Pentecost brings about Church Age and New Covenant with fire; signs and wonders. God judges Israel AD 70; final judgment promised later.
However we must remember that we are dealing with the Word of God Himself and not the Word of Paul or Luke or Jeremiah or Isaiah. While it is true that God used Humans to pen the original Biblical texts, every word, every phrase is exactly the word and phrase that God Himself chose to use. And I would never trust a "free translation" as being the Word of God.
God did not write the Bible in a way that we can merely apply man's wisdom in reading and understanding what God is teaching. We must search it out comparing scripture with scripture. And that often means down to the very word.
My advice to anyone would be to avoid a "free translation" or paraphrase version like the plague. I would want the most faithful word for word, translation available. And based on my understanding that would be the King James Bible for an English translation.
I think there is a reason that the study tools like Strong's and Young's concordances are based on the KJV.
If we want to consult a commentary, that's fine. But a commentary may or may not have understood a given text properly and we know that going in.
God is the one and only Author of the Bible. And the Bible alone is true and trustworthy.
Thank you, I agree with what you are saying, we are on the same page. They all were looking for the Messiah to set up the kingdom then. That is the reason some of the things Jesus told the disciples were hidden from their understanding that later the Holy Spirit brought back to their memory. The same reason that blindness in part happened to Israel mainly the corrupt evil rulers. The mystery; to undo the works of the devil and the promise made to all nations. The mystery of His will was hidden from Satan as well.
As Jesus told them in John 14:2 just before he went to the cross, He is going to prepare a place for you. A mansion is a dwelling place, Jesus's perfect life, death, and resurrection repaired what Adam did and the works of the devil so God could again dwell in man. 100s of prophecies were fulfilled and all was done unto the will of the Father and His timing.
God bless,
RLW
Without any doubt the KJV Bible is one of the most (if not THE MOST) acceptable and read translations of the Bible in the English language.
But I would like to make a comment on translations in general.
When a translator has to translate a text from one language to another has mainly 2 options, either do 1. a word for a word translation or 2. a free translation which gives the meaning of the original language without actually going a word for a word.
Both methods have advantages and disadvantages.
1. A word for a word. Often different languages use different expressions/phrases for the same thing. Often there are no respective words. Often words seem to mean something else from what they really mean. The native speaker has a physical understanding of a scripture that a foreigner does not have when the text is translated in their language. So when a text is translated, say from grk to Eng, the English speaker is often buffled with what the text is trying to tell them. They don't understand, and so one has often a different understanding from another. On top of those, think that apostle Paul was hard to understand even by people who lived at the same time with him and spoke the same language.
2. A free translation. A translator can choose to write a translation that gives the meaning of the original text but by using different words. The advantage here is that the reader understands clearly the meaning of the text but the disadvantage is that the meaning often depends on the translator's understanding and knowledge Also it depends on the doctrines or the church they come from. All people we are affected by what we have been taught in our churches and try to fit the text to our beliefs, don't we?
So you see there are pluses and minuses in both cases. Personally I have a main Bible which I use, which is a word for a word , but I also use 2-3 different other versions when I want to clarify things. Concordances and Lexicons are also very helpful. GBU
The feeling I have is that the apostles and generally the Hebrews could not accept that God was interested in gentiles as well. They have always having in their mind that they themselves were the chosen/elected people that God was always dealing only with them. The nations were always the enemy from which God protected them. The idea that, for example the Romans who were their conqeurors could also be God's loved people was alien to them, they were expecting that the Lord will free them from them. They were taking the old prophesies that the Messiah who was expected to come, would free them from their enemies and made them a kingdom that will rule on the whole of earth, as literal. So when Jesus came, it was hard to them to accept that the freedom from their enemies literally meant freedom from sin and the kingdom God was telling them about is a spiritual kingdom including their enemies as well. That is why just before Jesus ascended to the sky they asked Him, "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?", that was always in their mind and in the minds of the multitude. It took them a long time to accept the truth. It wasn't easy to them, for tousands of years they had something else in mind and suddenly they had to accept something else. That is why they didn't really pay any attention to what Jesus was telling them all the time. The phrase "hidden from them" to me means that. Similarly with Jesus crucifixtion. The apostles always had in their mind that the Messiah will become the king they were expecting, so when Jesus kept telling them that He was going to be killed, those words didn't get into their minds. And they were caught up by surprise.really. But God is a wise God, At the end God patiently drove them to the truth. This is how I get it Ronald, but I do also consider yours and GiGi's thoughts. GBU
Do you attend a congregation or you study on your own? No offence meant but what you say sounds a bit strange to me.
Question. Does the Holly Spirit teaches personally everyone of us? Yes and no. Yes in the sense that He often opens up the scripture for us, gives us understanding of verses, reminds us of scripture and so on. No in the sense that I can stay home, read my Bible and learn the truth.
In Ephessians 4:11-13, Paul describes the ministries that should exist in every church,
"11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
So I think it is clear that Jesus anoints people to teach His Word, we need teachers filled with the Spirit of God to teach us His Word. This is not a man's work. It is God's work.
Paul was an exeption. The way he was tought the gospel is not an example for all of us. Those are exeptions, the rule is that we get tought the gospel by others.
Again you confuse the person Jesus with the spoken or written Word of God. To me they are different things. When the seed comes in our heart when we hear the gospel and the soil is good (soft, good heart) then this seed produces in us (with the aid of the Holly Spirit) repentance for the sins we have done and a decision to start a new pure life with Jesus, consequently a new birth occurs. The phrase "Jesus comes in my heart" should be taken figuratively,. It means that I accept His Word in my open heart which Word will produce a fruit.
GBU
this is a perfect example of the operation of Grace appearance in one's heart, Picking up the Cross, denying self & teaching you godliness.
Proverbs 4:18
Thanks, I agree they were told that but we see it was after Stephen's death and the priests along with Saul/Paul put in prison, beat, killed, and drove out the believers in Jesus, the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. The ones Philip shared the word within Samaria must have been Jewish because the apostles did not have a problem with it because Peter and John went and prayed for them to receive the Holy Ghost, Acts 8:14-17
When Peter had his dream, it was a clear vision that God showed him the time had come for the gospel to go to the Gentiles, Acts 10. But when he told the apostles and brethren when he went to Cornelius the centurion and preached to the Gentiles, they had a big problem with it and they rebuked Peter for doing this, Acts 11, and in Acts 11:19 the ones who were persecuted and driven out were preaching the word to the Jews only.
To me, it looks the same as when Jesus told them how He was going to die and be resurrected but it was hidden from them, Luke 9:45, and we see they were devastated after He was crucified and did not believe He rose from the dead, Luke 24:10-11. It was God's perfect timing when this would happen, fulfilling prophecy and a promise.
I hope this makes sense.
God bless.
RLW
I am quite confident that the king, James Bible is the best English translation available today. It has stood the test of time.
I would never use a Bible that appears to be a paraphrase in any way whatsoever.
I would never use a Bible that contains the words of Jesus in Red. That, in and of itself, diminishes other language in the Bible, as being less authoritative, i.e. less the Word of God. The Entire Bible, every Word in the original, is the Word of God Himself.
I would never use a Bible that includes commentary along side of or even in the same volume as the Bible itself. This tends to color and influence our understanding; Whether we are conscious of that or not.
As far as trying to understand how the original languages were used at the time, that may be interesting and perhaps helpful, but is ultimately not as important as allowing the Bible to be its own dictionary. If we want to understand how God is using specific words or phrases, we need to find every location in the Bible where that word or phrase is used by God and draw our conclusion and meaning from that. God has graciously given us the tools to do exactly that if we are willing to take the time and energy to do it. And I am pointing the finger at myself as much or more as anyone else.
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Joel 2:12-14 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Jonah 3:4-10 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Quoting you;
Pay attention to v25, "AND THIS WORD WHICH BY THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED TO YOU." so it means literally the Word of God, not Christ, etc"
Isa 49:8 "for a covenant to the people"
1 Pet 1:23, says 'LIVETH & ABIDED FOR EVER" the Scriptures are the words of God that became the letter from what the apostles lived, wrote & preach from under the inspiration of the Spirit. 2Cor 3:4-6 The letter of any dispensation kills, it the Spirit along that gives Life, 1Cor 15:45
Paul says, Gal 1:12, but came by Rom 10:17 that was in his Rom 10:8 this is Word of Faith, the gospel that he preached.
He received it by the Grace of God that appears in his heart, bringing him & the rest the Word of Salvation.
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ in every heart, Christ preaching the Gospel to them diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge, to those who believe it becomes an aroma unto life, to the unbelieving an aroma unto death.
The incorruptible Seed by which we maybe born again, if received & no one is born again until they received Him in this manner of His spiritual appearances within their heart.
Jesus takes personal responsibility of us, to teach us Himself in the way that He, Himself live, walk & overcame all the temptations of the devil,. It's the Good News that the angel proclaim to the Sheppard's. Hebrews 1:2 Spoken unto us through His Son, the 1John 2:27
1Pet 1:24 is man preaching the incorruptible words of God, which in his human wisdom, learning & knowledge he contradicts, for he neither knows them because he doesn't obey them, although he professes them 1John 2:3-6
Friend, I understand were your coming from, this way of believing & living, at one time turn my world upside down.
Acts 17:6 I've had always been dull of hearing & slow of heart to believe all the Holy Spirit ever spoke to me. Now I am paying attention, as for as offenses, I'm dead to that part within me. 2Cor 10:3 . Ephesians 6:12 who seek to rule in the hearts & minds of mankind.
Hebrews 11
Hebrews 12:1,2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF FAITH; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
To be able to get into the letters or discourses of say, the early Church fathers (Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, etc.) could be a formidable task. I hope that you will, in time & diligence, be able to source the information you seek - and if you remember us here, maybe post your findings which should make very interesting reading. Blessings.
Blessings.
:)
I would not let this one word in one verse lead someone to disregard 100 verses about God's goodness and love- that would not make sense. God is fair and this is a fallen world cursed- thorns and natural disasters and hardship. I believe our character is being tested in our short challenging life. Just because we face calamity doesn't mean God doesn't love us. No where in the Bible does it promise that we will be comfortable or that the purpose of life is to be "happy" as the world claims, although more peace and love is a nice byproduct of following God's will.
I do think that the apostles knew before Jesus ascended that the gospel would go to the Gentiles because of Jesus had said to them about being witnesses of Him in Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the world. Not many Jews lived or even passed through Samaria, so being told that they would bring the Gospel to Samaria would have meant that they would preach to the Samarians. Also, Jews did not live in all areas of the world, but they were told that they would preach to those parts, even those without any Jews.
They may not have thought that Samarians and Gentiles would be converted because they considered these people to be "not chosen", but they were to preach to them regardless. Many of them were surprised that salvation would come to Samaritans and Gentiles, but some like Philip and Paul, were not.
I'll share some "meat" with you that you can respond by telling me whether you agree or not with what I am sharing with you below.
In the following three verses, Jesus uses the term "...cannot be my disciple" implying that Discipleship is a mandatory requirement to becoming "saved':
"If any man come to me, and hate not [meaning love less than Christ] his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE." ( Luke 14:26)
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE." ( Luke 14:27)
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all [of his worldly possessions] that he hath, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE." ( Luke 14:33)
In this last verse, Jesus is again saying to every Christian - in much the same way as he said to the rich young ruler - "...sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." ( Luke 18:22-23)
When I came to Jesus some 30+ years ago, I had the choice to abandon ALL that I had and take up my cross and follow Jesus or chase family members who had rejected me for no reason at all. I willingly chose to make that choice to follow Jesus, and have never regretted doing so.
However, such choices also require God's people to bring forth "...PATIENCE and FAITH in all your PERSECUTIONS and TRIBULATIONS that ye endure" (2 Thes 1:4) together with "... INFIRMITIES, in REPROACHES, in NECESSITIES, in PERSECUTIONS, in DISTRESSES for Christ's sake" ( 2 Cor 12:10) while "...earnestly CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH" ( Jude 1:3) among those who "...corrupt the word of God ( 2 Cor. 2:17).
Given that most Christians profess that they have ETERNAL SECURITY (which contradicts Phil 2:12 and 1 Peter 5:8-9), how do you relate to the scripture verses in Luke 14 above?
Blessings, Alan
How is your vision doing now? Mt. Shasta is a beautiful mountain, but I have never wanted to mountain climb. Your son is brave.
My youngest son is getting married next week. That is a good thing for both of them.
I am staying well, thank you for asking.
Balak must have acknowledged that YHWH had the authority in this situation, even above himself.
Balaam's parable was that God cannot lie, for He is not a man, a created being, and He never sins, like all humans. Vs. 19 goes on to say that Balaam says that God is true to His word. Whatever He has spoken, He will do it.
Vs. 20-21 Balaam tells Balak that he has received a commandment from God to bless Israel, and He hath blessed Israel. This blessing cannot be reversed. God does not hold Jacob's sin against him because He has given Israel the means to have their sins forgiven and that the LORD is with Israel, bot against him. Balaam also says that the shout of a king is among them. I think that this is prophetic, concerning the Messiah King to come (Jesus Christ) who will bring salvation and forgiveness to Israel.
Balaam attests to the fact that it was the LORD who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, saying that he has the strength of an unicorn. Is Balaam speaking of Israel having this strength or the LORD?
Vs, 23 Israel does not possess any of these blessings through enchantment or from divination. but all has been wrought by YHWH and this is what will be proclaimed about the Jacob/Israel.
Balaam then goes on to say that Israel will drink the blood of the slain like a lion. This does not mean that the Israelites will actually drink blood as they are prohibited in the Law from doing so. It is just saying that, like a lion, Israel will totally destroy the enemies.
Balak tells Balaam to either curse Israel nor not bless them at all. Balaam answers, reminding Balak that he told Balak that he must only say all that the LORD tells him to speak concerning Israel.
So Balak again, takes Balaam to another mountain top, Peor. Balaam again says to build seven altars to sacrifice seven bulls and seven rams. Balak thinks that perhaps this time. YHWH will allow Balaam to curse Israel. So now this is the fourth mountain (high place of Baal). cont. pt. 4